Nothing beats the buzz of opening a pack of Pokémon cards!

Of course, every pack has a rare card, and this is what we’re most interested in…

So the best way to open Pokémon cards is to reveal the rare card last.

But different sets have the cards placed in different orders.

So that’s what this article is going to help you with.

I detail where the rare card is placed in every Pokémon card set.

This is known as the Pokémon Card Pack Trick.

The Pokémon Card Trick for Each Set

Base

Set Cards to The Back
base symbol Base 3
jungle symbol Jungle 3
fossil symbol Fossil 3
base-set-2 symbol Base Set 2 3
team-rocket symbol Team Rocket 3

Gym Heroes

Set Cards to The Back
gym-heroes symbol Gym Heroes 3
gym-challenge symbol Gym Challenge 3

Neo Genesis

Set Cards to The Back
neo-genesis symbol Neo Genesis 3
neo-discovery symbol Neo Discovery 3
neo-revelation symbol Neo Revelation 3
neo-destiny symbol Neo Destiny 3

Legendary Collection

Set Cards to The Back
legendary-collection symbol Legendary Collection No card trick

e-Card

Set Cards to The Back
expedition-base-set symbol Expedition Base Set 3
aquapolis symbol Aquapolis 2
skyridge symbol Skyridge 3

Ruby & Sapphire

Set Cards to The Back
ruby-and-sapphire symbol Ruby & Sapphire 3
sandstorm symbol Sandstorm 3
dragon symbol Dragon 3
team-magma-vs-team-aqua symbol Team Magma vs Team Aqua 3
hidden-legends symbol Hidden Legends 3
firered-and-leafgreen symbol FireRed & LeafGreen 3
team-rocket-returns symbol Team Rocket Returns 3
deoxys symbol Deoxys 3
emerald symbol Emerald 3
unseen-forces symbol Unseen Forces 3
delta-species symbol Delta Species 3
legend-maker symbol Legend Maker 3
holon-phantoms symbol Holon Phantoms 3
crystal-guardians symbol Crystal Guardians 3
dragon-frontiers symbol Dragon Frontiers 3
power-keepers symbol Power Keepers 3

Diamond & Pearl

Set Cards to The Back
diamond-and-pearl symbol Diamond & Pearl 3
mysterious-treasures symbol Mysterious Treasures 3
secret-wonders symbol Secret Wonders 3
great-encounters symbol Great Encounters 3
majestic-dawn symbol Majestic Dawn 3
legends-awakened symbol Legends Awakened 3
stormfront symbol Stormfront 3

Platinum

Set Cards to The Back
platinum symbol Platinum 3
rising-rivals symbol Rising Rivals 3
supreme-victors symbol Supreme Victors 3
arceus symbol Arceus 3

HeartGold & SoulSilver

Set Cards to The Back
heartgold-and-soulsilver symbol HeartGold & SoulSilver 3
hsu2014unleashed symbol HS Unleashed 3
hsu2014undaunted symbol HS Undaunted 3
hsu2014triumphant symbol HS Triumphant 3
call-of-legends symbol Call of Legends 3

Black & White

Set Cards to The Back
black-and-white symbol Black & White 3
emerging-powers symbol Emerging Powers 3
noble-victories symbol Noble Victories 3
next-destinies symbol Next Destinies 3
dark-explorers symbol Dark Explorers 3
dragons-exalted symbol Dragons Exalted 3
dragon-vault symbol Dragon Vault 3
boundaries-crossed symbol Boundaries Crossed 3
plasma-storm symbol Plasma Storm 3
plasma-freeze symbol Plasma Freeze 3
plasma-blast symbol Plasma Blast 3
legendary-treasures symbol Legendary Treasures 3

XY

Set Cards to The Back
xy symbol XY 3
flashfire symbol Flashfire 3
furious-fists symbol Furious Fists 3
phantom-forces symbol Phantom Forces 3
primal-clash symbol Primal Clash 3
double-crisis symbol Double Crisis 3
roaring-skies symbol Roaring Skies 3
ancient-origins symbol Ancient Origins 3
breakthrough symbol BREAKthrough 3
breakpoint symbol BREAKpoint 3
generations symbol Generations 3
fates-collide symbol Fates Collide 3
steam-siege symbol Steam Siege 3
evolutions symbol Evolutions 3

Sun & Moon

Set Cards to The Back
sun-and-moon symbol Sun & Moon 4
guardians-rising symbol Guardians Rising 4
burning-shadows symbol Burning Shadows 4
shining-legends symbol Shining Legends 4
crimson-invasion symbol Crimson Invasion 4
ultra-prism symbol Ultra Prism 4
forbidden-light symbol Forbidden Light 4
celestial-storm symbol Celestial Storm 4
dragon-majesty symbol Dragon Majesty 4
lost-thunder symbol Lost Thunder 4
team-up symbol Team Up 4
detective-pikachu symbol Detective Pikachu 4
unbroken-bonds symbol Unbroken Bonds 4
unified-minds symbol Unified Minds 4
hidden-fates symbol Hidden Fates 4
shiny-vault symbol Shiny Vault 4
cosmic-eclipse symbol Cosmic Eclipse 4

Sword & Shield

Set Cards to The Back
sword-and-shield symbol Sword & Shield 4
rebel-clash symbol Rebel Clash 4
darkness-ablaze symbol Darkness Ablaze 4
champions-path symbol Champion's Path 4
vivid-voltage symbol Vivid Voltage 4
shining-fates symbol Shining Fates 4
battle-styles symbol Battle Styles 4
chilling-reign symbol Chilling Reign 4
evolving-skies symbol Evolving Skies 4
celebrations symbol Celebrations 4
fusion-strike symbol Fusion Strike 4
brilliant-stars symbol Brilliant Stars 4
astral-radiance symbol Astral Radiance 4
poku00e9mon-go symbol Pokemon GO 4
lost-origin symbol Lost Origin 4
silver-tempest symbol Silver Tempest 4
crown-zenith symbol Crown Zenith 4

Scarlet & Violet

Set Cards to The Back
scarlet-and-violet symbol Scarlet & Violet 1
paldea-evolved symbol Paldea Evolved 1
obsidian-flames symbol Obsidian Flames 1
151 symbol 151 1
paradox-rift symbol Paradox Rift 1
paldean-fates symbol Paldean Fates 1
temporal-forces symbol Temporal Forces 1
Twilight Masquerade 1
shrouded-fable symbol Shrouded Fable 1
surging-sparks symbol Surging Sparks 1
prismatic-evolutions symbol Prismatic Evolutions 1
journey-together symbol Journey Together 1

 

READ NEXT: 10 Pokemon Cards That Will EXPLODE in Value in 2025!

FAQs

How to Do The Pokémon Card Trick Correctly

*In this example, we’re going to say the rare card is ‘3 from the back’.

In order to do the Pokémon card trick correctly, you need to have the back of the cards facing you. This means you should be looking at the Pokéball and logo.

have the back of the cards facing you

Next, you’re going to take the card that’s closest to you, and put it to the front.

you're going to take the card that's closest to you, and put it to the front.

Do this another two times.

You can now turn the cards around, to see the first card in your pile – safe in the knowledge that the rare card will be the last one you reveal.

You can now turn the cards around, to see the first card in your pile

How to Open Pokémon Card Packs The Right Way

Just a final word on opening Pokémon booster packs.

With the value of certain cards sky-rocketing in recent years, it’s worth taking care during your openings.

Easier said than done with kids, I know 😛

Some people open packs with scissors, but I highly discourage you from doing this. It’s so easy to accidentally catch a card.

Instead, carefully lift the flap on the back of the pack, like so…

How to Open Pokémon Card Packs - listing the flap

Next, pinch the flap with one hand, and pinch the front of the pack with the other hand…

How to Open Pokémon Card Packs - pulling apart

You should see the seam at the top start to come apart and open.

From here you can simply pull it apart and lift your cards out.

READ NEXT: Should You Get Your Pokemon Cards Graded?